This document sets out WorkSafe’s position that there is an obligation to take all reasonable steps to identify and understand hazards and risks to health and safety when complying with duties to ensure health and safety under Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

Part 3 of the Act places duties on, among others, employers (sections 21 to 23); self-employed persons (section 24); persons who manage or control workplaces (section 26); designers of plant (section 27); designers of buildings or structures (section 28); manufacturers of plant or substances (section 29); suppliers of plant or substances (section 30); and persons installing, erecting or commissioning plant (section 31), to ensure health and safety. These duties must be met so far as is reasonably practicable.